Royal defends former friendship with child rapist Jeffrey Epstein

Prince Andrew said yesterday that “at no stage” did he suspect any criminal behaviour by his former friend, the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The Duke of York issued a statement saying he never suspected “any behaviour of the sort” from the financier who killed himself in prison a fortnight ago.

He reiterated it was a “mistake” seeing Epstein, 66, after the American’s release from an 18-month prison term in 2010 for prostituting minors.

It was reported yesterday that Andrew has told friends he fears never being able to return to the US as speculation continues over the Epstein case.

The prince is said to be concerned over the possibility of being drawn into civil proceedings brought by some of Epstein’s many victims.

At least five women who say they were abused by the financier have filed lawsuits against his £450 million estate.

Epstein was found hanged in his New York prison cell on August 10 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

In a statement released yesterday, Andrew said he was aware of reports “in relation to my former association or friendship with Mr Epstein” and added he was “eager to clarify the facts to avoid further speculation”.

He said: “I met Mr Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year. I have stayed in a number of his residences.

“At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.

“I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know.

“I have tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behaviour.”

He added: “I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour.”

Since Epstein’s arrest last month, Andrew has distanced himself from his former friend and said he was “appalled” by reports of his alleged crimes.

However, details have emerged of how he hosted Epstein at Balmoral, while photographs have shown him at Epstein’s New York mansion in 2010, two years after the banker had been convicted of sex with a child.

Virginia Roberts, one of the women who have filed lawsuits against Epstein’s estate, has also claimed she was forced by Epstein to have sex with Andrew on three occasions between 1999 and 2001 when she was under-age.

The allegations, first made in 2015, were officially struck from the court records by a judge, who ruled they were “immaterial”.

Ms Roberts’s lawyer Brad Edwards last week urged the prince to co-operate in order to help the victims of Epstein secure justice.

He said: “I look forward to co-ordinating a formal deposition where he will be given the opportunity to tell us everything he knows.”

US legal sources say that if Andrew is considered to have information relevant to any of the civil proceedings he may be asked to give a statement on the matter.

It is also possible he could be considered a witness in any criminal proceedings surrounding Epstein’s death.

Lawyers say it would be difficult to force him to go to the US to give evidence but, if he were to set foot in the country, he could be subpoenaed for his testimony.

Buckingham Palace said the case “relates to proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party”.

A spokesman added: “Any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors is categorically untrue.

“It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.”

1999

Andrew first meets Jeffrey Epstein, reportedly introduced through his friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell. Andrew welcomes Epstein to Balmoral Castle, according to reports.

2000

Andrew and Ms Maxwell are seen on holiday with Epstein at Donald Trump’s Mar a Largo Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Epstein and Ms Maxwell attend a party at Windsor Castle hosted by the Queen to mark Andrew’s 40th birthday, the Princess Royal’s 50th, the Queen Mother’s 100th and Princess Margaret’s 70th.

2001

Virginia Roberts claims to have had sex with Andrew three times, the first encounter allegedly taking place in Ms Maxwell’s London townhouse. Ms Roberts claims to have had sex with Andrew on two more occasions, at Epstein’s New York home and at an “orgy” on Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean.

2008

Epstein admits prostituting minors and is sentenced to 18 months in prison.

2010

Epstein is released from jail. Andrew is photographed with him in New York. Footage emerges years later, reportedly showing him inside Epstein’s Manhattan mansion, waving a woman goodbye.

2019

Newly released legal documents show that Johanna Sjoberg, another alleged Epstein victim, claimed Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaire’s Manhattan apartment in 2001.

Epstein is found dead in his jail cell on August 10.